Marc Cucurella rebuffs Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez's 'scared' jibe over cancelled Finalissima between Spain and Argentina
By Ben Morse
Updated 24/03/2026 at 17:46 GMT
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Marc Cucurella has hit back at the claim that Spain were "scared" to face Argentina following a jibe from his Chelsea team-mate, Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez claimed that Cucurella had admitted Spain were ”a little scared” of playing Argentina in the Finalissima, but Cucurella said Spain were in fact "really looking forward to it". The game was scheduled for March 27 but has since been cancelled.
'No, not at all' - Cucurella on Chelsea teammate Fernandez' 'scared' jibe over Finalissima
Video credit: SNTV
Marc Cucurella insisted that Spain were not scared to face Argentina in the cancelled Finalissima after a jibe from his Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez.
Spain and Argentina had been scheduled to meet on March 27 in Qatar as the winners of the 2024 Euros and 2024 Copa America respectively.
However, the game was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East.
And the rivalry between the two nations was ratcheted up when Fernandez claimed that Cucurella had admitted that Spain were ”a little scared” of facing the reigning World Cup champions.
But Cucurella denied his Chelsea team-mate’s claims, saying that Spain were excited to take part.
”We were really looking forward to it. It was talked about a lot, but for some reason in the end we couldn't enjoy it,” the left-back told reporters.
”Hopefully, we'll meet them in the World Cup, which I'm sure will be a great match. Scared? No, no, not at all."
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Video credit: SNTV
Instead of playing Argentina, Spain will instead take on Serbia and Egypt in March friendlies in Villarreal and Barcelona respectively.
The Finalissima usually sees the champions of European international football face the winners of South America. UEFA said it was organised in a ”celebration of the highest level of international football".
The inaugural edition of the match was won by Argentina in 2022, after they beat Italy 3-0 at Wembley.
UEFA also said that multiple other options for hosting the game – such as at the Santiago Bernabeu, in Buenos Aires or a neutral venue - were put to both of the nations’ federations, but the Argentinian body rejected them all, resulting in the cancellation of the match.
‘The result of us playing many matches’
Cucurella was also questioned about his recent bout of injuries, having dealt with hamstring issues over the past couple of months.
He said that his injury and those suffered by other elite players have come because of an extended schedule. And that is particularly daunting, according to Cucurella, with the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup to be played this summer in North America.
"I think that's the result of us playing many matches. Some players have practically gone two summers without a break, and with this one, if we make the final list, it would be three. Sometimes that takes a toll," he said.
”But we're so excited. Playing a World Cup is a unique experience. At least for me, it would be the first time, and I think that makes you forget everything.
"We'll try to be in the best possible shape. There's still a lot of time and we have enough time to recover the important pieces we're missing. Hopefully, we'll arrive with maximum energy and all our best players."
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Spain have been drawn in a group with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup. They will face Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta before taking on Uruguay in Guadalajara.
One player who earned a call-up to the Spanish national team is Dean Huijsen.
But the defender said he was ”very proud” to have the chance to represent his country.
”As you said, I think I've had a period where I haven't performed at the level people know I can deliver, but now I'm performing at my level again and we're doing well as a team, and I individually am too," Huijsen told reporters.
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